Neighborhoods partner for ‘National Night Out’

Find out why the “two Parkroses” got together to host a big celebration in outer East Portland …

Hundreds of neighbors come to the first joint National Night Out celebration, this one hosted by together by the Parkrose Neighborhood Association and the Parkrose Heights Association of Neighbors.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

It’s been a few years since the Parkrose Heights Association of Neighbors (PHAN) hosted a National Night Out (NNO) party – while the Parkrose Neighborhood Association (PNA) held theirs at Senn’s Dairy Park, and later at Parkrose High School.

But, for the first time, these two neighborhood associations joined forces to produce a single large, well-attended event at Knott City Park on the evening of July 28.

Helping to producing this, and many other outer East Portland events, are members of the all-volunteer group, the East Portland Rovers.

Portland City Commissioner Dan Saltzman spends a moment with PNA Chair Annette Stanhope.

“This is a great opportunity for the community to come together and meet each other, hang out, and have some good free fun,” said PNA Chair Annette Stanhope as their Community Fair got underway.

The Community Fair hosted 28 nonprofit and community organizations and representatives from Bureaus of the City of Portland.

Argay Terrace/Parkrose NET members Richard Mohle and Michael Schilmoeller encourage neighbors to volunteer with their organization and learn to help during a disaster.

Portland Police Bureau North Precinct Officer Chris LaFrenz shows his patrol car to kids at the this joint National Night Out celebration.

Leach Botanical Garden volunteer Ron Goodwin displays natural wonders of the garden to visitors to the party.

PHAN Chair Tom Badrick listens to residents visiting the Community Fair.

“It’s awesome being able to work with Annette and the PNA this year, because we don’t have the resources and capacity to put on a party this year,” remarked PHAN Chair Tom Badrick. “So, were really happy to host it in this park, within our neighborhood.”

Recent Parkrose High School graduates Kayleen Saechal and Karen To volunteer with the Rovers, serving snow cones.

Stanhope observed, “When people come together, it starts fostering feelings of trust, increasing the desire to share ideas, and creating visions of what they want for their community and their neighborhood. This helps people feel safer in their neighborhood, and feel more of a sense of belonging.”

Following the Community Fair was a Portland Parks & Recreation “Movie in the Park”, featuring the band Echoes of Yasgurs, and a dusk a showing of “Zootopia” on a big outdoor screen.

Ready to entertain the group with their nostalgic rock music is the band, Echoes of Yasgurs.

Sponsors who supported this event included Parkrose Business Association, Care Oregon, Parkrose Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Elmer’s, Sierra Springs, Living Room Realty, and Aaron’s.

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